Perez sets record for total bases for SS, OF

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers uber-utility man Hernan Perez quietly set a Major League record in Tuesday's 9-1 win over the Reds. His 10 total bases set a new single-game standard for a player who manned shortstop and center field, surpassing another Brewer, Jose Hernandez, who logged nine total bases while playing those spots in a win over the Giants in 2001.

That statistic may sound obscure, but the value of a productive offensive player capable of holding down the two most premium defensive positions was not lost on Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell.

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers uber-utility man Hernan Perez quietly set a Major League record in Tuesday's 9-1 win over the Reds. His 10 total bases set a new single-game standard for a player who manned shortstop and center field, surpassing another Brewer, Jose Hernandez, who logged nine total bases while playing those spots in a win over the Giants in 2001.

That statistic may sound obscure, but the value of a productive offensive player capable of holding down the two most premium defensive positions was not lost on Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell.

"The scope of what he's able to provide -- I mean, he had 10 total bases last night," Counsell said Wednesday morning. "That's a big offensive night. That's a 'drive the bus' night, in addition to playing multiple positions.

"He helps you in a lot of different ways, is the point of that. With the bat, with the glove, on the bases, his versatility. He's checking a lot of boxes, for sure, in ways he can help you."

Getting Perez going at the plate has been a priority of Counsell and the Brewers' coaching staff. Perez cemented his standing with the Brewers last season by posting a .730 OPS with 34 stolen bases while starting games at every position but pitcher and catcher.

But with new Brewers third baseman Travis Shaw off to a productive start, Perez struggled with inconsistent playing time to start this season. He had a .580 OPS through his first 44 plate appearances before beginning an extra-hit barrage on Monday, when Perez doubled, homered and drove in four runs.

When reporters gathered at his locker that night, Perez smiled at them and said, "Long time."

A night later, he hit a pair of RBI triples and homered again, this time a solo shot. Those two games boosted Perez's OPS 375 points, to .955 entering Wednesday, when he drove in another run in his first trip to the plate with a sacrifice fly.

Perez conceded that trying to find a rhythm before he began to get consistent playing time was challenging.

If there is a downside to Eric Thames' remarkable April, it has been the detrimental effect on Jesus Aguilar, who had a remarkable March. Aguilar won a job as Thames' backup at first base by batting .455 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in 25 Spring Training games, then opened the season 7-for-11 in a platoon with Thames.

But since Thames has taken over, Aguilar has cooled. He entered Wednesday hitless in his last 14 at-bats.

"I talked to Aggie about it," Counsell said. "He understands. Still, Jesus has done a nice job. He's been an important player on our team, I think. He's a good influence in the clubhouse, a good person, he works hard. He had a good first 20 at-bats. His last 10 haven't been, but it's short. We have a lot of confidence in him."

Aguilar will simply have to endure because there is little chance of Thames coming out of the lineup while he is hot."